First Impression | Synopsis | Book Review | Book Details
Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 - 4 stars (see my rating system)
Spice: 🌶️
Genre: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary
Jane Jackson has spent most of her life running from her past. As a former child actress best known as the punchline "Poor Janey Jakes" on a second-rate sitcom, she’s determined to make a name for herself in Hollywood on her own terms. Now a Creative Executive she’s on the verge of getting her first project greenlit. But when a little white lie about securing the hottest pop star, Jack Quinlan, for the soundtrack spirals out of control, Jane has no choice but to make it happen—even if it means confronting the past she’s tried so hard to forget.
Her only shot? Enlisting the help of Dan Finnegan, a talented but infuriating cinematographer who just so happens to have an unexpected way to secure the deal with Jack. When Dan invites her to his hometown on Long Island, Jane embarks on a weeklong journey filled with family parties, uncomfortable memories, and a growing realization that love—real love—isn’t about perfection, it’s about the small, unexpected moments that make someone worth falling for.
It took a little while for me to fully invest in Jane’s story, but once she and Dan arrived in Long Island, the novel really took off. The slow build-up at the beginning felt necessary but a bit drawn out—once we were past that, I couldn’t put the book down. Jane is an engaging protagonist, and I appreciated how awkward and self-aware she was, especially in her phone calls/texts with her friends to dissect all of Dan’s actions. It made her feel real and relatable, especially for anyone who has ever doubted themselves or overanalyzed their choices.
Dan was a refreshing love interest. His connection with Jane wasn’t an instant, all-consuming obsession, which was a nice change from the usual plot where characters a fall in love on page two. Their dynamic was fun, full of tension and banter, and it felt authentic as it slowly developed into something deeper. The contrast between Jane’s carefully curated persona and Dan’s easygoing attitude worked well.
I did wish for a bit more from Jack Quinlan’s character. He played a pivotal role in Jane’s past and her present dilemma, but his presence in the story felt a bit flat. A redemptive moment or a more significant conflict involving him could have added an extra layer of depth. Still, every story needs a villain, and he served his purpose.
If you love second-chance stories with a Hollywood twist, relatable characters, and a romance that develops organically, this book is worth picking up. It starts slow but quickly becomes an addictive read!
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